The Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks left an indelible mark across America and around the globe. That fateful day also had a lasting effect on Northern Colorado. Colorado Task Force 1 Urban Search and Rescue, a federal disaster response team, deployed 62 Coloradoans, including 7 firefighters from the Poudre Fire Authority (PFA) to New York City to assist with urban search and recovery. A collaboration between PFA and City of Fort Collins, the 9/11 Memorial will honor the sacrifices made by firefighters and other first responders. The memorial will be in Spring Park adjacent to PFA Station 3 in Midtown Fort Collins. The 9/11 Memorial will offer visitors a local destination to contemplate and remember this event.
There are 3 entries into the memorial: one from the north parking lot, one from the Spring Creek Trail, and one south of Station 3. A total of 343 rectangular-shaped paving stones, in honor of the 343 firefighters who perished in the attacks, create serpentine walks leading visitors from the Spring Creek Trail and park into the memorial. Crushed stone with angular steel bands comprise the memorial floor, anchored by a low curved wall. As the memorial centerpiece, the 3,059-pound steel I-beam rests above 2 pools of cascading water surrounded with angular seating blocks, reminiscent of “the pile” the steel was recovered from. Turf terraces edged in steel provide seating areas for quiet contemplation.
Informational displays are located on the north side of the memorial, providing a place for visitors to learn about the 9/11 tragedy, the efforts and sacrifices made by first responders, and the journey of the steel beam from New York City to Fort Collins in October 2015. As a symbol of new life and resilience, an existing Larch tree, a unique tree planted at the request of a Fort Collins firefighter, anchors the north edge of the memorial. On Sept. 11, 2016, an event was held on the memorial site, providing community members opportunity to view and touch the steel beam. At this event, firefighters shared powerful and memorable firsthand accounts of working on “the pile” and transporting the beam from New York to Fort Collins.
Office: City of Fort Collins Park Planning & Development
Client: City of Fort Collins residents
Contributions: Project director, lead designer, grading, construction details, fundraising coordination
